Briatore Out!

Flavio Briatore resigned today as head of Renault's F1 team and Renault chose to "not dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA concerning the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix." according to a BBC report. Director of Engineering, Pat Symonds, also resigned amid the allegations and just prior to the FIA's World Motorsport Council hearing which is to be held on Monday.

In related news BMW says it has agreed to sell its Formula 1 team to Swiss-based Qadbak Investments. The FIA has given the new team the "14th grid position" for next year, effectively a "reserve position" in the event another them, such a Renault, in light of above, or Toyota, long rumored to be leaving, depart the fix. The team is expected to use Ferrari power next season.

The FIA will expand the F1 grid to 13 teams next season, with Lotus, Campos GP, Manor and US F1 joining the fray.